Axle-bearing



(No Model.)

D. E. HULL.

AXLE BEARING. No. 387,719. Patented Aug. 1.4, 1888.

P TERS, Phnlo-'Ethugrxphun Waihingion. D. C.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL E. HULL, or ADRIAN, MICHIGAN.

AxLE-BEAmNG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.387j19, dated August 14,188B.

' Application filed February 16, 17888. g Serial No. 264,191. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.'-

Be it-known that I, DANIEL E. HULL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Adrian, in the county of Lenawee and State of Michigan, haveinvented a new and useful Improvenient in Axle-Bearings, of which thefollowing is a specification.'

My invention relates to improvements in axle-bearings; and it has forits object to provide improved means for taking up the wear on thespindle and the box and to provide improved means for lubricating thespindle throughout its length. K

V'Vith these objects in view the invention consists in a certain novelconstruction and combination of devices, which is hereinafter more fullyset forth in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figurel is a side view of the spindle and the adjusting cones, with theaxle-box and hub shown in section. Fig. 2 is a similar View showing thespindle and cones in section. Fig. 3 is a side view of the spindle inanother position to show more clearly the guide-grooves and theoil-grooves therein, as hereinafter described. Fig. 4 is a detachedperspective view of the inner or larger cone. Fig. 5 is asimilar view.of the outer or smaller cone. Fig. 6 is a detail view of thespring-washer.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A designates a portion of the axlehaving aspindle, B, on the end, and C designates a shoulder,

- which is located at the 'inner end of the said spindle. The outerportion of the spindle is reduced, as seen at D, for a purpose to behereinafter described, and the extremity of the same is screw-threaded,as seen at E, to receive an axle-nut.

Fdesignates the inner and larger cone, which is hollow and tits andslides on the spindle, and is adapted to bear at its inner or abrupt endagainst the shoulder C. The cone is provided at its inner end with theinterior longitudinal slot or groove, G, which fits and slides on a studor projection, H, on the spindle; or the cone may be provided with theinward-extending stud or projection engaging in a groove or slot in theside of the spindle. It will be seen, however, that in either case thecone will be capable of unlimited longitudinal movement; but it :islocked against axial motion on the spindle. A notch, I, is formed in theouter end of the cone toenable a t'ool to be applied to remove it fromthe spindle.

K represents the outer cone,whieh also slides loosely on the spindle andis provided with an interior stud or projection,L, which engages in agroove, M, in the side of the spindle.

i N represents an axleennt which screws on the end of the spindle, andit is provided with an inward-extending flange, O, which projects overthe outer end of the cone K. A springwasher, P, of steel, brass, orother suitable material is arranged within the iiange O, and it bearsagainst the outer end of the cone K. Therefore the said spring-washerexerts a constant pressure upon the cone to force it inward, and toincrease the tension of the spring it is simply necessary to furtherscrew the nut N on the spindle.

Q represents the hub of a wheel, in which is removably disposed theaxle-box R. The said box lits the above-mentioned reduced portion of thespindle and is also provided at its ends with the cone-shaped bearings ST to fit the cones F K respectively. An oil-space, U, is formed betweenthe larger portion of the spindle and the axle-box to contain the oiland hold it in reserve, so that it may gradually work in both directionsalong the spindle.

In the drawings I show two or more metallic or leather washers, V,between the inner end of the cone F and the shoulder C. This is toillustrate the manner of adjusting the larger cone outward as thebearing wears. Instead of the said washers,however,one of thespringwashers, similar to that hereinbeforeA mentioned, may be-employed.In this ease the larger or inner cone will be automatically adjustable,as well as the outer cone. The advantages of this invention will now beapparent. The cones are loosely mounted on the spindle, and aretherefore removable therefrom to enable them to be renewed when wornout. The said cones may also be applied to any ordinary axlespindle whenit becomes worn to render it serviceable. Either or both of the conesare adjustable. The cones are not capable of rotation on the spindle,and therefore there can be no tightening or cramping of the bearing whenthe wheel is backed, as there may be when the eones are held in place bywheel by means of the nuts will be suiicient l to maintain the bearingtight for a considerable length of time, as all the wear will beautomatically compensated for.

I Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. The combination,with a spindle having a cone on its inner end and amovable or adjustable cone on its outer end, of the spring-washerbearing against the outer cone and the nut screwed on the outer threadedend of the spindle and having an annular inward-extending Hange, O,embracing and concealing the said springwasher, substantially as and forthe purpose specified.

2. The co1nbination,with a spindle having a reduced portion, D, theoil-groove M, and cones on the opposite ends of the spindle, of the boxmounted on the spindle and bearing on the cones and the said reducedportion, and having oil-space U, surrounding the spindle at anintermediate point, substantially as specitied.

8. In a bearing, the combination of the spindle B, having the shoulder Cat its inner end and a reduced portion, D, the longitudinallyrmovablecone F on the inner end of the spindle and held from rotary motion,substantially as specified, the longitudinally-movable cone K on theouter end of the spindle and held from rotary motion, the nut screwed onthe end of the spindle and having the inward-eX- tending flange O, thespring-washer inclosed within the said flange and bearing against theouter end of the cone K, and the box mounted on the spindle and conesand having an oilspace, U, formed therein around the spindle,substantially as and for the purpose specified. In testimony that Iclaim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature inpresence of two witnesses.

DANIEL E. HULL. NVitnesses:

WM. B. THoMPsoN, E. N. SMITH.

